Letters to the Editor: 08.18.06

I was saddened to read in the Caller-Times about Freddy Fender's
health. I first had the pleasure of meeting Freddy back in 1968. Unlike
most entertainers, Freddy never forgot where he came from. He always
had a smile and was always ready to take the time to walk over and
shake your hand.

I just want to say I have been to many of Freddy's concerts, and he
is a wonderful entertainer. Freddy, may God bless you. You are in my
prayers.

Frank Adams

More laptops

My school, Cullen Middle School, has laptop computers. Some of my
friends from different schools are studying country cultures while we
are studying the Civil War. They don't have laptops, but we do and they
are way behind.

I think that more than two schools should have laptops. The reason
for that is that laptops are more advanced than textbooks. On laptops
you can look up information online that you can't find in a textbook
and you can also study easier online by playing online study games.

If we are going to keep the laptops, then I think that more schools
should have them, too. It wouldn't be fair if we have laptops and learn
more and others don't.

Kenneth Keltner

(Age 12)

Bria's composure

I could not agree more with Ann Couser. (Letters, Aug. 15) I, too,
am shocked and appalled at some of our so-called leaders in our
community and the behavior they have shown towards Dr. Bria. I am so
excited to have Dr. Shonny Bria on board with our students, if she has
not been turned off at this point.

I find it so sad that anyone would even think of pulling the race
card in any situation, let alone in this one.

I find it most appalling that anyone would intentionally set out to
humiliate or try to belittle another in a public the way as Susie
Luna-Saldana did, knowing that Dr. Bria did not know Spanish.

Based on how Dr. Shonny Bria re-sponded to this situation, this
shows how incredibly intelligent she is.

Michelle Shaw

Started with the shah

President Bush tells us over and over that t hese Islamic fascists
(as he likes to call them) hate us for our freedom.

I just don't believe it's all that simple. Ask yourself, why do
these people hate the U.S. so much that they are willing to blow
themselves up in order to kill Americans? Did they just wake up one
morning and decide to kill Americans?

Most of us believe that the rise of Middle East terrorism began in
1979 with the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the taking of our hostages
at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

But it goes way back to 1953 when it was decided by the CIA along
with British Intelligence that Mohammad Mossadeq, the democratically
elected prime minister of Iran had to go. He was accused of leaning
towards communism (which was never proven) and besides, the oil
companies wanted him removed from power.

After the coup, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was installed in power
and ruled with an iron fist until his ouster. There was no evidence of
anti-Americanism in Iran until the rein of the shah.

So if you want to look at the root cause of Middle East terrorism,
remember the date, August 19, 1953.

Paul Lazarine

Low blow

When I returned from vacation I found our state representative, Gene
Seaman, doing his best to denigrate the military credentials of his
opponent, Juan Garcia, in the upcoming District 32 race. Mr. Seaman has
had close to a decade to distinguish himself in Austin and has failed
to do so every step of the way. So, he resorts to negative attacks to
cover his own shortcomings.

I am very tired of politicians whose sole purpose it is to malign a
challenger in print without having the courage to face him/her in a
debate. I hope the voters of District 32 will remember these pointless
attacks when they step into the booth in November.